Chapter 4

The family dinner was held at the ancestral Patterson family estate. Every relative from the Patterson side of the family showed up.

I deliberately wore an all-black suit, dressed solemnly and formally, as though I were attending a funeral.

The moment I opened the heavy doors to the dining hall, the lively room instantly fell silent.

Noticing my outfit, Dad's face darkened. He stormed over to me in a rage.

"Why are you dressed like that? Are you intentionally trying to remind us your brother is dead?"

I look at him calmly, then let my eyes drift past him toward the center of the hall. A memorial table stood there, lined with framed photographs of all the deceased members of the Patterson clan.

Caleb's photograph was prominently displayed in the front row.

"Wasn't today about earning some good karma for Caleb?" I asked, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "I figured he'd be happy to see me dressed respectfully from wherever he is."

Mom scoffed coldly, then pointed at the memorial table.

"Since you know we're doing this for your brother, go kneel in front of his photo and pray for his soul," she ordered. "You're not allowed to get up until dinner starts. Think about what you've done and ask him for forgiveness. Then say a few more prayers for him!"

I stood rooted to the spot, completely unmoving.

"Why should I?"

The hall instantly erupted into an uproar.

Dad froze for a second before yelling, "You're only alive because of Caleb! You owe him your life! Forget kneeling there and saying some prayers—even if I told you to give up your life for him right now, it would still be the least you could do!"

I just stood there with my back straight, not saying a word.

Seeing this, Mom turned to the relatives gathered around us and began beating her chest dramatically.

"Everyone, do you see this? My flesh and blood gave his life for this ungrateful bastard, and now he won't even say a few prayers for him!" she accused.

"For the past ten years, every time his father and I close our eyes, all we can see is Caleb struggling in the river. We raised this adopted son from the time he was a child and put him through school. Now that he's a big-shot businessman, he doesn't give a damn about us anymore!"

Uncle Rafael, Dad's older brother, slammed his hand on the table, shot up to his feet, and glared at me.

"Asher Patterson! A man can't forget his roots! You owe your life to Caleb! We're just asking you to kneel in front of the man who saved your life and say a few prayers for him! That's the least you can do. What right do you have to refuse?"

The other relatives joined in, piling on the guilt.

"Exactly! He's so heartless! How can anyone be this cold-blooded?"

"Caleb was in the prime of his life when he died. Asher's the older brother. What's wrong with kneeling and paying his respects to him?"

"Asher Patterson, have a conscience and get down on your knees!"

With everyone worked into a frenzy, Dad raised his hand and slapped me across the face.

"You ungrateful piece of trash! Get on your knees right now!" he roared as he reached for my shoulder, trying to force me down physically.

But before his hand could land on my shoulder, I grabbed his wrist in a vice-like grip.

He froze, completely stunned. He clearly hadn't expected the person who had always silently endured everything to actually fight back.

"You dare raise a hand against me?" he demanded, his eyes wide.

"Why wouldn't I?"

I shoved him away. He stumbled back a few steps before crashing into a nearby chair. Then, under the shocked gazes of everyone present, I grabbed Caleb's photograph and smashed it onto the floor.

With a sharp crash, the framed photograph shattered into pieces.

"Asher Patterson! Have you lost your mind?" Uncle Rafael shouted in horror.

I swept my cold gaze across every face in the room and sneered. "Memorializing someone who's still alive? Seriously? Aren't you worried you'll jinx him?"